Outdoor Wedding Lighting Ideas That Actually Work in the Inland Northwest

Planning an outdoor wedding in Spokane or the Inland Northwest? Lighting is the single most important design element shaping how your entire wedding looks and feels once the sun sets. With 52% of weddings now taking place outdoors or at non-traditional venues, getting your outdoor wedding lights right is no longer optional. This guide covers the best outdoor wedding lighting ideas, what to rent, and how to plan it all without stress.

Key Takeaways

• String lights, fairy lights, and festoon lights are the most versatile outdoor wedding lighting options and work in almost every venue, from backyard weddings to open-air spaces.

• Warm white (2700K to 3000K) is the go-to color temperature for wedding lighting because it creates a soft glow that flatters skin tones and photographs beautifully.

• Layered lighting is the top trend for 2026 weddings, combining overhead, accent, candles, and pathway lights to create depth throughout your reception space.

• Renting professional lighting fixtures, tents, tables, and dance floors from a local company saves time, money, and the headache of DIY logistics.

Ready to start planning your outdoor wedding lighting? Contact Event Rents for a free quote on everything from tents to tables to dance floors for your Spokane or Inland Northwest celebration.

Why Outdoor Wedding Lighting Matters More Than You Think

Outdoor lighting does more than just keep your guests from tripping in the dark. It defines your reception area, sets the mood for every moment, and becomes the focal point of your wedding photos after golden hour fades.

The U.S. wedding industry is valued at over $100 billion, and the number one venue choice for couples today is a romantic outdoor garden venue. That means more couples than ever are dealing with the unique challenge of lighting an event space that has no walls, no ceiling, and no built-in fixtures.

In the Inland Northwest, summer sunsets can stretch past 9 PM, which means your ceremony might be bathed in natural light, while your reception will need a completely different lighting plan. The key is thinking about lighting in layers and zones rather than one single solution.

The Best Outdoor Wedding Lighting Ideas for Every Zone

The most successful outdoor wedding light decoration plans break the venue into zones. Each area of your wedding event has a different purpose and needs a different type of light to match.

Ceremony Space

Your ceremony is the most photographed part of the wedding day. Keep lighting simple and let the natural elements of the Inland Northwest do the heavy lifting.

• Hang lanterns from tree branches along the aisle for a warm glow as the sun sets

• Place led candles in mason jars along the aisle for a subtle glow without fire risk

• Wrap trees near the altar with twinkling lights to create a soft backdrop

Pro Tip: If your ceremony starts before sunset, your lighting won't be visible right away. Choose fixtures that look beautiful unlit, too, like lanterns, mason jars, and greenery-wrapped string lights.

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is the transition between daylight and evening, and it is the perfect moment to let your lighting elements start to shine. This is when guests first notice the glow.

• Hang string lights above your cocktail area to define the space

• Use paper lanterns at varying heights for a playful, layered look

• Set out real candles on cocktail tables (or LED candles if the venue restricts open flames)

• Add subtle pathway lights to guide guests between the ceremony space and the cocktail area

Dining Area

The dining area is where your guests will spend the most time, so your wedding lighting needs to be both functional and beautiful here. You want enough light for guests to see their food and each other, but not so much that it feels like a cafeteria.

• String lights or festoon lights hung in a canopy pattern above long table setups create a warm, even glow across the entire dining area

• Place candles or LED candles down the center of each table for an intimate feel

• Use curtain lights or light curtains behind the head table to create a glowing backdrop for photos

Pro Tip: If you are renting tables for your outdoor reception, ask your rental company about table dimensions early. This helps you plan how many strands of lights you need for proper coverage over your dining area.

Pair your lighting plan with quality linens, china, and glassware to pull the whole look together. Event Rents handles all washing and sanitizing, so you just need to scrape and rinse the dishes at the end of the night.

Dance Floor

The dance floor is where the energy shifts, and your lighting should shift with it. This is your chance to get creative and make a statement.

• Hang string lights or festoon lights directly above the dance floor to create a canopy of lights that feels like dancing under the night sky

• Add chandeliers above the dance floor if your venue or tent structure supports them

• Use uplighting around the perimeter of the dance floor for color and depth

Pro Tip: If you are renting a dance floor from Event Rents, coordinate your lighting plan with the floor size. A 15x15 floor for 75 guests needs different lighting coverage than a 20x20 floor for 150 guests.

Late Night and Lounge Areas

Do not forget about the spaces your guests will wander to after dinner and dancing wind down. These areas deserve lighting too.

• Place a fire pit with surrounding seating for a cozy late-night vibe

• Hang fairy lights through garden areas to encourage guests to explore the venue

• Use mason jar lights along pathways and near lounge furniture

• Set battery-operated LED candles on side tables for a safe, flickering ambiance

Warm White vs. Cool White: Which Should You Choose?

One of the most common questions couples ask about outdoor wedding lights is whether to use warm white or cool white bulbs. The short answer: warm white is almost always the better choice for weddings.

Warm white bulbs produce that golden, romantic glow you see in every wedding photo you have ever loved. Cool white bulbs have their place (like lighting a food station or a bar area where visibility matters), but they should never be the dominant lighting for your reception.

Pro Tip: When shopping for or renting lights, always check the Kelvin rating on the bulbs. Stick to 2700K to 3000K for a warm glow that makes everything and everyone look incredible.

Outdoor Wedding Lighting Ideas by Venue Type

Not every outdoor wedding venue is the same. Your lighting plan should match the specific characteristics of your event space.

Backyard Wedding

A backyard wedding is one of the most personal ways to celebrate, but it also means you are starting from scratch with lighting. The good news? String lights are your best friend here.

• Crisscross string lights between anchor points like the house, fence posts, or tall trees

• Use extension cords that run safely taped or buried under walkways to keep power accessible

• Add fairy lights in garden beds and bushes for a soft glow throughout the yard

• Rent a tent for weather backup and hang lights from the ceiling for instant atmosphere

Garden Venue

Garden venues in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area offer natural elements like mature trees, hedges, and flowers that pair beautifully with the right lights.

• Wrap tree trunks and branches with fairy lights or twinkling lights

• Hang paper lanterns along garden pathways

• Use festoon lights with exposed bulbs overhead for a classic garden party look

• Place lanterns and candles on stone walls or along water features

Tent Wedding

If you are renting a tent from Event Rents, you have a built-in ceiling to work with, and that opens up a lot of lighting options. Check out our tent lighting and accessories to see what is available.

• Drape string lights across the ceiling of the tent in a starburst or parallel pattern

• Hang chandeliers from the center peak for a formal, elegant look

• Use curtain lights along the tent walls to create a glowing perimeter

• Choose a clear top tent to combine starlight from the night sky with your interior lights for a truly stunning effect

Open Field or Farm Venue

Open-air wedding venues offer the most dramatic backdrop, but also the biggest lighting challenge because there is nothing to hang lights from without planning ahead.

• Rent freestanding light poles or tent structures to create anchor points for hanging string lights

• Use tall shepherd's hooks with lanterns to line the aisle and reception area

• Create a defined canopy of festoon lights over the dining area and dance floor

• Place LED lights along the ground to mark boundaries and walkways

Planning Tips for Outdoor Wedding Lighting

Getting outdoor wedding lighting right takes some advance planning. Here is a simple checklist to keep you on track.

1. Visit your venue at night before your wedding date. What looks great during the day might be pitch black after sunset. Walk the space and identify every zone that needs light.

2. Map your power sources. Know where every outlet is located. Plan your extension cord routes and consider whether you need a generator for remote spaces.

3. Layer your lighting. Combine overhead lights (string lights, chandeliers), mid-level lights (lanterns, candles on tables), and ground-level lights (pathway lights, uplights) to create depth and dimension throughout your entire wedding.

4. Rent early. Popular lighting options, tents, dance floors, and decor book fast in the Inland Northwest, especially for peak summer dates. Reserve your items as soon as you lock in your wedding date.

5. Think about timing. Work with your DJ or coordinator to plan when certain lights turn on. As the sun sets, your cocktail hour lights should already be glowing, and your reception space lights should be ready before guests move to dinner.

6. Consider safety. Outdoor lighting means dealing with weather, wind, and uneven ground. Make sure all extension cord connections are waterproof and all candles (or LED candles) are placed on stable, heat-safe surfaces.

Pro Tip: Event Rents offers a standard 3- to 4-day rental period, which gives you time to set up decor and lighting well before your wedding day without rushing. Take advantage of this to test your lighting plan the night before.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best small lights for outdoor wedding decorations?

The best small lights for outdoor wedding decorations include fairy lights, LED candles, and mason jar lights. Fairy lights (also called twinkling lights) can be woven through centerpieces, wrapped around trees, or placed inside glass jars to create a subtle glow. Battery-operated versions are especially convenient for areas without nearby power.

How do I match outdoor wedding lighting to my wedding colors?

Start by choosing warm white bulbs as your base, then layer in accent elements that complement your wedding colors. For example, colored paper lanterns, tinted glass candle holders, or uplighting in your wedding colors can tie the lighting to your overall wedding decor. Avoid using colored bulbs as your primary light source since they can distort how everything looks in photos.

What is enchanted forest wedding lighting?

Enchanted forest wedding lighting creates a magical, woodland atmosphere by layering multiple lighting elements through trees and natural elements. Think fairy lights wrapped around tree trunks and branches, hanging lanterns at varying heights, curtain lights draped between trees, and candles placed along mossy pathways. The goal is to make the space feel like a scene from a storybook, with a warm glow coming from every direction.

Can I use lighting near a water feature at my outdoor wedding?

Yes, but safety comes first. If your venue has a pond, fountain, or stream, you can place waterproof LED lights near or in the water to create a stunning reflection effect. Avoid placing any electrical connections near water, and stick to battery-operated or solar-powered options for anything within splashing distance. Floating LED candles are another popular option for water features.

What should a married couple prioritize when planning outdoor wedding lighting?

Focus on three things: your dining area, your dance floor, and your pathways. These are the zones where guests spend the most time and where safety matters most. Once those areas are covered, you can layer in decorative lighting for your ceremony space, cocktail hour area, lounge zones, and garden areas. Planning your entire wedding lighting in zones keeps the process simple and ensures nothing gets overlooked.

This article presents a general overview of event planning and rental options; it does not constitute a formal quote or guarantee of item availability. Event Rents recommends reserving items as early as possible to ensure availability for your date. Please contact our sales office for specific pricing and service details.